Sacked chief’s warning to senator Ricky Muir

NEW senator Ricky Muir’s former chief-of-staff has warned the rookie politician to be wary of those around him after his own surprise sacking.

Glen Druery was marched out of Canberra’s Parliament House on Thursday night by security officers after he was sacked by email amid ongoing tensions within the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party (AMEP) senator’s leadership team.

Mr Druery on Friday said the senator had a “kind heart” and could be a good politician but “has to be very careful about those that he has around him”.

“He’s young and inexperienced and he has allowed a couple of people from the party with less than honourable intentions to give him advice and to manipulate him,” he said.

Known as “the preference whisperer”, it was Mr Druery’s preference deals that allowed the Victorian sawmill worker to get elected with just a fraction of the primary vote.

But there were regular clashes between Mr Druery and party founder Keith Littler, who moved from Queensland to Melbourne to work on staff, along with wife Sharyn.

Another member of Senator Muir’s staff, Susan Bloodworth, quit following the sacking, leaving four in the office.

Senator Muir would not outline his reasons behind the shock move and Mr Littler did not return calls.

“The reasons for his dismissal remain private between myself and Mr Druery,” Senator Muir said in a statement.

“I acknowledge and appreciate the contribution Mr Druery has made to my team and the support he has given me personally.”

Friday’s turmoil followed the Victorian branch of the AMEP voting to wind itself up after passing a no-confidence motion in the man they also helped get elected.

The Queensland-based national branch of the party cut ties with the Victorian branch last year and the state branch has been critical of Senator Muir’s voting agreement with the Palmer United Party.

But the cutting of ties wasn’t recognised by Victorian members, leading to months of squabbling.

The group met on Wednesday night to resolve that it no longer had enough members to satisfy the requirements of the AEC.